Lamrim Chenmo – Six Perfections

This term we are continuing with the Fifth perfection, the Perfection of Concentration – calm abiding, or shamatha. This includes the many refinements of meditation, nature of mind, mindfulness and the object of concentration, and methods to overcome distractions.

The Six Perfections (paramitas), literally mean “gone beyond.” They are the practices of bodhisattvas, holy beings who have completely renounced the self; they have transcended selfish concerns and cherish only others. A bodhisattva’s bodhicitta never stops. Even sleeping or in a coma, infinite merit is still created.

The Six Perfections are: Charity (dana), Morality (shila), Patience (kshanti), Perseverance (virya), Concentration (dhyana), and Wisdom (prajna). Each perfection is perfect, flawless. Each arises from bodhicitta and is supported by the other perfections, including the wisdom of emptiness. Because of that, a bodhisattva generates infinite merit every moment.

This is in-depth study group meets fortnightly, and is suitable for established students and the committed beginner. Please feel free to try out a class to see if the topic and presentation suits you. Each class will have readings from our root texts, and an opportunity for questions in real time either live or type into the chat.

Presented by FPMT registered teacher:

Transcripts and powerpoints:
Notes from the BSP course lead by Geshe Tashi Tsering at Chenrezig Institute and made available for LTC members from our top menu resources>course notes. Powerpoints are uploaded at the start of each class.

Reference books:
We are using The Six Perfections by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, where he carefully describes each perfection, revealing the depth of its meaning and how it intertwines with each other perfection. Rinpoche also explains how to practice it fully in our everyday lives—offering practical methods for us to become more generous, more patient, more wise.

We are also using Steps on the Path VOL 4, by Geshe Sopa. This is a detailed explanation of the core meditative practice of shamatha, or calm abiding.